Jennifer is originally from Herndon, Virginia. She attended Virginia Commonwealth University, where she got her Bachelor of Social Work (B.S.W.). During her undergrad, she worked with the disability community, HUD-subsidized housing communities, and non-profit work in the mental health sector. After being exposed to the inequalities, injustices, and unjust barriers those individuals faced, she went on to get her Masters of Social Work (M.S.W.) with a concentration in administration, planning, and policy practice. She wanted to use her passion of empowering individuals but also saw a great need for systemic change in the world. She joined the Ryan Bartel Foundation because she became passionate about mental health due to her lived experiences. She also realized how mental health affects all aspects of someones life, yet it has been one of the most neglected subjects for centuries. Jennifer said, “change is not an easy nor a fast process. Before advocating for our needs, we must address our own biases instilled in us our entire lives. Non-profit work is not a quick fix but a crucial part in the equation for systemic change.”